But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect. 1 Peter 3:15

Knowledge can Hurt Your Apologetic Efforts

But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect,

1 Peter

Gentleness and respect. This is by far and away hardest part of this verse to take to heart. It is also the most important part of the verse.

Being gentle and respectful is objectively more important to anyone’s apologetic efforts, than being armed with all of the facts and wisdom in the world.

It is better to be kind and return to the person questioning you with a well structured answer than it is to respond with a hard tone and insults. Even if you are right, if you can’t respond with “gentleness and respect” then you will lose the opportunity to evangelize.